Purpose in Thai

“Purpose” in Thai is วัตถุประสงค์wát-tù-bprà-sǒng; you'll also hear จุดประสงค์jùt-bprà-sǒng (also in speech).

วัตถุประสงค์ wát-tù-bprà-sǒng

purpose, objective (formal) noun

wát high
tù low
bprà low
sǒng rising

High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.

จุดประสงค์ jùt-bprà-sǒng

purpose, aim noun also in speech

jùt low
bprà low
sǒng rising

Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”

How to use it

วัตถุประสงค์wát-tù-bprà-sǒng is the formal word for "purpose, objective": immigration forms ask for the purpose of your trip, and reports start with their objectives. จุดประสงค์jùt-bprà-sǒng is a little lighter and also heard in speech.

In conversation Thais ask มาทำอะไรmaa tam à-rai, what are you here for?, or เพื่ออะไรpûea à-rai, what for?

Other spellings you'll see

There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:

watthuprasong
wattu prasong
wat tu pra song
chut prasong
jut prasong

More formal words in Thai

All formal words

การ gaan Kaan (prefix)
-ing, -tion: turns a verb into a noun (the act of …)
ความ kwaam Kwaam (prefix)
-ness (turns a verb or adjective into a noun)
ผู้ pûu Phu (prefix)
person (who …): makes words for people, like -er
นัก nák Nak (prefix)
-er, -ist: someone who does it (as a job or a passion)
ซึ่ง sûeng Who, which (formal)
which, who (adds information; formal, written)
เมื่อ mûea When (formal)
when, once (formal)

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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones